Dissecting the Wealth & Net Worth of the British Royal Family
While the British royal family frequently finds themselves in the public eye, they still manage to keep many aspects of their lives private, including their financial matters.
This secrecy extends to their wealth, which encompasses estates, castles, investment portfolios, fine art, and the famed Crown Jewels. The exact number of real estate properties they own and their valuations often remain unclear.
Nevertheless, a significant portion of their financial portfolio is accessible to the public, with estates like the Duchy of Cornwall and the Duchy of Lancaster publishing annual profit reports. By piecing together this information, the estimated net worth of the British royal family stands at around $28 billion.
Curious about how they accumulate their wealth and where it goes?
Read on for a detailed overview of the royal family's most valuable assets, including the wealth accumulated by King Charles and the late Queen Elizabeth, as well as the expansive portfolio of the Crown Estate.
Reuters
Since his coronation in May 2023, King Charles has seen his net worth rise by $12.5 million, totaling roughly $772 million, according to the Sunday Times. Despite this, he ranks as the 258th richest person in Britain. The King's wealth is diversified across various investments and holdings, including sprawling estates, castles, and traditional stocks and bonds. Notably, he gained $22.5 million from his divorce from Princess Diana in 1996.
Reuters
King Charles's post-coronation financial gain also made him wealthier than his late mother, who had an estimated net worth of around $500 million at her passing in 2022. Queen Elizabeth’s assets included both Sandringham House and Balmoral Castle in Scotland, the latter of which was said to be her favorite home. Following her death at Balmoral on September 8, 2022, King Charles inherited the majority of her wealth and, unlike most British citizens, avoided inheritance tax, saving him around £200 million.
King Charles III’s beloved Highgrove House is part of the Duchy of Cornwall, the estate he passed to Prince William upon becoming King. Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
One of the royal family's key assets is the Duchy of Cornwall, a 700-year-old estate created in the late Middle Ages to provide financial security for the heir to the throne. The current heir, Prince William, receives this estate along with the Duke of Cornwall title. Although the Duchy is a "crown body" and thus tax-exempt, Charles began paying taxes on the estate voluntarily in 1993. After William inherited the Duchy in 2022, he did not disclose his tax payments. The Duchy generates tens of millions of pounds annually and is valued at about £1 billion.
The Crown Estate
Founded in 1760, the Crown Estate boasts one of the largest collections of land in Great Britain. Its proceeds go directly to His Majesty's Treasury, a portion of which is then allocated back to the monarchy as part of the Sovereign Grant. This estate supports the British government while generating millions for the royal family. In 2024, it reportedly generated £1.1 billion for public finances, largely from investments in clean energy and carbon-zero initiatives. According to Dan Labbad, CEO of The Crown Estate, "Today’s record results are the product of years of commitment and investment into helping create the U.K.’s world-leading offshore wind sector."
Tim Graham
In addition to real estate and investments, the royal family possesses an impressive collection of heirlooms known as the Crown Jewels. Established during the Restoration of the Monarchy in 1660, this collection features the Imperial State Crown (worn by Queen Elizabeth II at her 1953 coronation), the Cartier Halo tiara (worn by Kate Middleton on her wedding day), and the iconic sapphire and diamond engagement ring of Princess Diana. Among these treasured pieces is the controversial Koh-i-Noor diamond, weighing an astonishing 105.6 carats, which remains a topic of debate regarding its acquisition by Queen Victoria in 1849.